In a major boost to India’s digital ambitions, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, announced a $15 billion investment in India over the next five years at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The investment, equivalent to approximately ₹1.36 lakh crore, marks Google’s largest commitment in the country to date. As part of this initiative, Google will establish a full-stack AI hub in Visakhapatnam. The facility will feature gigawatt-scale computing capacity, advanced AI infrastructure, large fiber networks, and clean energy integration. It will also include an international subsea cable gateway aimed at strengthening India’s digital backbone and global connectivity.
The AI hub is designed to deliver high-performance, low-latency services essential for businesses and developers building and scaling AI solutions. The project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities and enhance India’s capabilities in artificial intelligence research, applications, and services. During his address, Pichai reflected on his student days, recalling how he used to travel by train from Chennai to IIT Kharagpur, passing through Visakhapatnam. He noted how the once-quiet coastal city is now poised to become a global AI destination, symbolizing India’s rapid technological transformation.
At the same summit, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, emphasized that the future of AI should not be controlled by a handful of billionaires. He stressed that AI must remain inclusive and accessible, warning that without adequate investment, many countries risk being left behind in the global AI race. Google’s investment is being viewed as a transformative step toward strengthening India’s position as a global leader in AI and digital infrastructure, reinforcing the country’s growing influence in the technology sector.
